Introduction
New digital technologies in the field of building design are developing quickly, and even academic literature cannot keep up with the changes and innovations in this field. At the same time, a rational choice of technologies can significantly reduce costs and extend the service life of buildings. For instance, Building Information Modeling (BIM) ensures that all parties participating in a project have the same understanding of the process at all times (Shah, 2022). 3D printing in architecture has made it possible to create large-scale buildings for a fraction of the cost of traditional methods (Shah, 2022). Consequently, Virtual Reality (VR) technologies facilitate more advanced provider-customer interaction strategies, enabling a competitive edge for architect companies (‘8 major technology advancements,’ 2022). These methods ensure high performance in the organization of architectural design and promote eco-friendly construction.
Pursuing environmental sustainability is changing from a desired to a necessary trait, and this shift will have repercussions on both the building process and the final product. Improvements in project management, design precision, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability are all possible via IT’s widespread use in the construction industry (Manzoor et al., 2021; WEF, 2016). This literary review aims to consider brief but systematic information about innovations in the construction design field. Moreover, it assesses the impact of the construction process on environmental sustainability. The considered literary sources reflect the modern building design practice using CAD, 3D Printing, BIM, GIS, and VR technologies.
Literary Review
The new technologies enable a large variety of techniques in the design phase that could be used to increase the lifecycle of the buildings and have a positive impact on environmental sustainability. For instance, Sakin and Kiroglu (2017) discuss the future of 3D printing, stating that this approach offers productivity increases of up to 80% for specific applications and a significant decrease in waste. It permits the manufacture of custom forms that cannot be made by any other means (Wong and Zhou, 2015). At the same time, Li et al. (2022) calculate that 3D, in combination with other innovative digital technologies, can improve the efficiency of the renovation design processes by 15%, saving approximately 7% of overall costs. These numbers clearly indicate the positive impact of 3D in construction design.
Moreover, 3D technology is rapidly improving, becoming the standard in the industry. For example, in 2016, experts were ambitious about using 3D printing in architecture but admitted multiple challenges in using this approach, such as high costs and manufacturing complications (WEF, 2016). However, in 2022, most architects acknowledge the numerous advantages of the methodology since 3D printing has become considerably more affordable, accurate, and sustainable (’10 of the latest tech advancements,’ 2022). There is still room for improvement, but experts are hopeful that the implementation of digital technologies will only become more accessible with time.
In addition to 3D printing, other innovative approaches can help architects shift from traditional design methods and improve the process. For instance, Papadonikolaki, Krystallis, and Morgan (2022) discuss the combination of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) to achieve higher efficiency in building design. Entity-based computer-aided design (CAD) uses limited design information from drafting tools like Autodesk or AutoCAD to highlight safety problems. At the same time, object-based CAD has more comprehensive design information, such as walls, columns, and windows, utilizing BIM systems. Connected technologies, such as BIM, big data, and intelligent cities, represent the next step in developing the digital paradigm.
Consequently, the Built Environment (BE) approach promotes sustainable designs that consider urban infrastructure and its relation to nature. This development generally focuses on all areas of sustainability, including social, economic, and environmental issues; however, the latter is becoming increasingly more significant in architecture (Adah, Paul, and Achoba, 2018). For instance, BE prioritizes effective waste management systems, and innovative design processes, such as CAD and BIM, can help visualize and implement these ideas in practice (Fokaides et al., 2020). Compared to traditional methods, this approach makes the initial design stage more integral to construction, allowing professionals to identify any potential challenges and flaws at the beginning of the project (Adah, Paul, and Achoba, 2018). Some authors also emphasize that such frameworks help mitigate additional costs that could emerge due to design mistakes (Bragança, Vieira and Andrade, 2014). In this sense, the implementation of innovative technologies at the initial design phase is critical to improve the efficacy of the process and mitigate the negative impact on the environment.
Stakeholder engagement is another critical aspect in the architecture industry because it enables more transparent communication with an emphasis on various values. For instance, environmental sustainability is one such priority that could be improved via collaboration. In this context, Virtual Technology (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are some of the most effective innovations that significantly improve provider-customer engagement (Schiavi et al., 2022). These approaches are helpful for the direct demonstration of the projects, providing additional interaction strategies both for builders and clients (Manzoor, Othman and Pomares, 2021). Moreover, it helps designers to assess the environmental impact more accurately due to better visualization of the building and surrounding areas (Manzoor, Othman and Pomares, 2021). Since sustainability is becoming increasingly more significant in the industry, any method of additional visualization and preparation during the design phase is gaining popularity (Yılmaz and Bakış, 2015). As a result, VR and AR technologies improve stakeholder engagement, the quality of the initial phase planning and have a positive impact on environmental sustainability assessment.
Literary sources support the usage of VR and Technologies, describing algorithms used to mine previously undiscovered information from data amassed during the building and maintenance of existing assets. In the design and engineering phases, new technologies of simulation and virtual reality assist in discovering interdependencies and conflicts (clash detection) and provide a virtual experience of the building as early as the design phase (Schiavi et al., 2022). Organizations may now interact with their employees in real time and give them more information about the project using mobile connection and augmented reality. This evidence further shows the significance of new technologies in stakeholder interaction and their positive impact on the whole construction project.
Lastly, the implementation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in combination with BIM and other methodologies is a relevant approach to construction design. This framework refers to multiple geospatial technologies that assess the risks and benefits of construction in a particular location (McCoy and Yeganeh, 2021). It is instrumental in combination with CAD and BIM to fully visualize the building during the design phase and estimate the project’s impact on environmental sustainability (McCoy and Yeganeh, 2021; Shi and Xu, 2021). Moreover, this approach further highlights the significance of accurate data gathering. In their report, Petrullo et al. (2019) emphasize BIM and other emerging technologies, such as predictive analytics and the Internet of Things (IoT), are paramount in design, specifically due to innovative data collection methods. These findings align with other research studies regarding the high efficacy of digital analytics and their positive impact on the thorough location and construction assessment (Dave et al., 2016). In summary, while each digital technology is valuable, it is particularly efficient to use them in combination with each other to achieve more accurate visualizations and estimations during the initial design phase.
Conclusion
Overall, it is clear that technological advancements are making considerable contributions to improving architectural design, and the reviewed literary sources confirm this. Articles consider the possibility that 3D printing will have far-reaching effects on the construction industry owing to the dramatic reduction in building time and increase in efficiency. As described in modern articles, computer-aided design (CAD) programs that are entity-based make the tedious, technical parts of the design process much more manageable. Energy efficiency and environmental friendliness may be enhanced using related technologies like architectural information modeling (BIM), big data, and smart cities.
At today’s stage of the development of scientific literature, there are enough relevant and trusted sources for writing a scientific paper. However, some of the desired ones are outside of public access, and we have to find ways to include in the writing those articles and books that would be ideal for presenting the material. At the same time, those mentioned above educational, popular science, and educational-methodological works, which to one degree or another related to the given topic, contain enough comprehensive material for further work.
Reference List
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